Asim Saeed was one of the five activists who disappeared in early January from different cities in Pakistan. The other four include academic Salman Haider, bloggers Waqas Goraya and Ahmed Raza Naseer, and Samar Abbas, head of an anti-extremism activist group in Karachi.

Saeed, who currently lives and works in Singapore, has now applied for asylum in Britain, fearing his life would be in danger if he had to return to Pakistan.

Prior to his disappearance, Saeed managed Mochi, a Facebook page which was known for carrying posts critical of the Pakistani military. "Since the inception of Pakistan, they've always been ruling us directly or indirectly," he said to BBC.

'Beaten with leather strap'

Sharing details of his disappearance with the BBC, Saeed said that he was visiting Pakistan for his brother's wedding when some men in plain clothes arrived at his residence and took him away in a car.

"'Do you know why you've been picked up?' they asked. I said, 'I have no idea'. Then he started to slap me. They said, 'Let's talk about Mochi'," Saeed said.

Saeed alleged he was asked to divulge passwords for his email accounts and mobile phone, and was later taken to a 'secret detention facility'. At the facility, he said, he was detained with men who he believed were "religious terrorists".

During the detention, Saeed said he was beaten with a leather strap, which left his arms and back in "shades of purple, blue and back".

"I don't remember what happened, I fell down and someone was holding my neck in his feet, and the other guy kept beating and beating and beating," he told the BBC.

Saeed, who believed he would be killed during the detention, said he was made to undergo polygraph tests at another detention facility and questioned about having any links with India's RAW.

He denied having any association with foreign intelligence agencies as well as posting material that could be deemed blasphemous.

Saeed said that he did not regret his activism, adding that "people have to stand up".

The abduction

Saeed and his cousin Waqas Goraya, an anthropologist, had gone missing in Lahore's Wapda Town on January 4. Goraya, too, had claimed in March while talking to BBC that he had been tortured during detention.

The disappearances of activists had triggered protests nationwide and on social media. No group had claimed responsibility for the abductions.

Human Rights Watch and other rights groups had said that near simultaneous disappearances of the activists raised concerns of government involvement, which officials and intelligence sources had denied at the time. A security source had denied intelligence services were involved in the disappearances.

Comments (100) Closed

Recently in Bangladesh, 2 extremist groups 'Ansarullah Bangla Team' and 'JMB' made sleeping cells to kill secular and liberal blogers. Bangladesh anti-Terrorism police tackled them. Who is behind the detention and torture of the 'missing' bloggers' in Pakistan ??

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ciniq

Oct 25, 2017 06:04pm

The Human rights group in Pakistan is the only ray of hope for the marginalized and under privileged. The government agencies and the army are suspicious of secular views and people espousing liberal views. The just disappearance are on the increase. The outcry at the time of disappearance of saeed at al from civil groups is a welcome sign.

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AngryCitizen

Oct 25, 2017 06:08pm

Put your fingers on your lips!

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Rameez Mohammad

Oct 25, 2017 06:10pm

If security forces were involved in this, it means they are complicit in torture and disappearance of activists. If they are not involved, it means non-state actors are so powerful that they can cause such grave incidents. Both ways, the government of Pakistan is to be blamed for these events and shows how dangerous the nation has become.

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khanm

Oct 25, 2017 06:12pm

The purpose of torture is not getting information. It's spreading fear. Some they do it while in power, some they do it to be in power... The bottom line is ...The healthy man does not torture others - generally, it is the tortured who turn into torturers especially in a society where torcher becomes a norm....folks...Favoring the use of torture is not a political position, it's a mental illness. May God Help us...

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HARRY

Oct 25, 2017 06:15pm

Thats how democracy has been in Pakistan since 1947.

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Inqelab Zindabad

Oct 25, 2017 06:16pm

Boys eh, when are they going to man up..

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Bilal Warraich

Oct 25, 2017 06:18pm

No wonder, one is aghast to learn such gory details of the torture and abuse of unspeakable nature. It is appalling that Pakistanis who just voice their opinion and use pen to express their political thoughts could be deemed a threat to the state. This forced and arbitrary detention incommunicado doesn't only show a complete disregard to the constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression and right to have a fair trial but also clearly speak volumes about the certain mindset of those who act above the law and are never held answerable /accountable to any. However, it is undeniable fact that despite all such oppressive tactics the voice of the dissent cant be silenced. last 70 years is a living testimony of it.

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Ahmad Taj

Oct 25, 2017 06:19pm

In the name of right of expression: no one can be given permission to defame the defenders of the Nation.

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yogi

Oct 25, 2017 06:19pm

As you know who control he Pakistan, they are Boss with strong BOOTS and hoods.

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Shahid

Oct 25, 2017 06:22pm

Shame

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Khalid

Oct 25, 2017 06:24pm

What happened to u was bad but don't u think there must be something creepy in ur activism that u were continuously interrogated for having links with raw and polygraphs taken. Any ways, wish u best of luck what happened was bad.

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AngryCitizen

Oct 25, 2017 06:32pm

He was released so the message reaches out to masses.

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jjacky

Oct 25, 2017 06:33pm

@Ahmad Taj so u mean to say pakistani courts are not in a position to handle oeople like saeed.

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Saeed

Oct 25, 2017 06:33pm

The perpetrators (call them agencies or establishment or $#@& if you will) do not realize that if you suppress something with force, the more it will spring up. Wake up before it's too late.

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girlsSoundMAD

Oct 25, 2017 06:39pm

@AngryCitizen duh

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Hindu baniya

Oct 25, 2017 06:40pm

india suffers from brain drain. Our best leave the country because they dont think they get enough opportunity in India. The GOI tries its best to stop them from leaving. Whether the GOI succeeds or not is debatable but the fact remains that it tries its best to stop them. And there you expel your best on your own. Dont do this. Its counter productive.

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Masood Hussain

Oct 25, 2017 06:40pm

SC should look into the allegations made by the BLOGGER.

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SHARARAT

Oct 25, 2017 06:52pm

Democracy died in Pakistan the day Jinnah died. Now it's all corruption, terrorism, indirect military rule. Feel sorry for ordinary pakistanis

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Aloo kachaloo

Oct 25, 2017 06:55pm

People would have to stand up to what? there would be no Pakistan if it wasn’t for the Pakistani military.if they are the one protecting you,making you compatible with the world, fixing your court problems,fixing your civil governance,building infrastructure, now tell me what’s your motive behind taking stand against the military,defense shall always be the priority always.they have provided it for seventy years now as a Pakistani you are able to walk with your head held high you belong to country with powerful army,who will take nonsense from no country on earth,you couldn’t do that before in the history of your race’s existence.i guess you don’t understand that.now Pakistan is in its building phase thank to the army,never forget we started with nothing.LONG LIVE PAKISTAN AND ITS MILITARY.

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Dr.SOB

Oct 25, 2017 06:56pm

@Masood Hussain You made my day.

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Zaheer

Oct 25, 2017 06:59pm

From guns to leather straps.
Good transformation.

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Sukhera,

Oct 25, 2017 07:08pm

These kidnappings and disappearances of activisits in main cities of Pakistan are gustapo tactics and should never happen in a democrattic country. Now everyone knows who kidnapped them in the middle of the night on mere suspicion. If the authorities have solid evidence that these activists are involved in anti state activities, they should should be arrested by the police and let the courts decide.

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Desi Dimag

Oct 25, 2017 07:10pm

What does Pakistan want?

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haider

Oct 25, 2017 07:38pm

Good way to seek assylum.

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saeeds

Oct 25, 2017 07:39pm

@HARRY Not democracy military dictatorship. Hard core military rulers are running this country using religion as strong point. Liberal and free thinker biggest opposition is uniform and religious parties do there dirty work for them. East Pakistan is perfect example.

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saeeds

Oct 25, 2017 07:41pm

@Ahmad Taj And same time no one have Authority to do torture. Let court decide not individuals

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Muhammed Ali UK

Oct 25, 2017 07:56pm

Nobody should be beyond te law be it the army or people in govt, after all that is what democracy is all about, as for the army being in power directly or indirectly whose fault is that? The fact that corrupt people get into power and abuse that power is a invitation to the armed forces to intervene.

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AHAQ

Oct 25, 2017 08:02pm

Was this a ploy to apply for Asylum? Details are sketchy as to what really happened before this is credible narrative.

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vikas_j

Oct 25, 2017 08:03pm

If he works and lives in Singapore, why is he applying for asylum in the UK?

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Unbelievable

Oct 25, 2017 08:11pm

@M. Emad most likely it's the same Bengali team

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Reality

Oct 25, 2017 08:15pm

If he was tortured with NO links to India, use your imagination as to how Kulbhusahan would have been treated. Then, ask yoursef, how credible is his so called confession.

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The Truth Teller

Oct 25, 2017 08:37pm

IS ANY ONE SAFE IN PAKISTAN?

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The Truth Teller

Oct 25, 2017 08:38pm

If you asked the question,"Do you feel safe in your country -Pakistan?" NOT A SINGLE HAND WOULD BE RAISED.

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Mushtaq Ahmed

Oct 25, 2017 08:46pm

Can anyone put some light on what blogger was writing. If it was against Pakistan security than he got what he deserved. And if not, case should be investigated. Just publishing someone was beatup doesn’t tell the whole story.
Some bloggers and others write stuff to get asylum in west. Can anyone deny it!

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Morning Star

Oct 25, 2017 08:50pm

@HARRY That's how it goes in rest of the western democracies. Over here too Federal force will come and pick you up if you are threat to country. This guy was released after all, not dumped in any hole.

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schali

Oct 25, 2017 08:52pm

@Ahmad Taj: and you have all the freedom to espouse violence against freedom of expression. That is called jungle justice where beasts rule the roost. We are human beings with faculties to listen, think and speak/write. Those who completely lack all three of those three faculties are generally institutionalized and treated until they are ready for civic society.

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Ashok

Oct 25, 2017 08:54pm

@M. Emad Everybody knows who .. don't you?

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pervaiz

Oct 25, 2017 09:02pm

@Ahmad Taj ...... bhai s defenders are defenders and are not so week to be defamed by written line where overwhelming nation is suporter of defenders. right of expression is fundamental right of everyone.

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zorro

Oct 25, 2017 09:07pm

This is a sad state of affairs .Can we not keep our house in order without victimising people?

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Suo moto

Oct 25, 2017 09:09pm

Apex court should register a Suo moto case on this issue. All the civilian parties should jointly condemn what has happen to Asim Saeed. The PMLN government should take responsibility of their failure to protect the civilian rights of Asim Saeed and apologize to the civilian of the nation. Civil society,civilian government and civilian parties should support Asim Saeed to get him justice.

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Sandy

Oct 25, 2017 09:10pm

This story solves Jadhav case.

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Baba

Oct 25, 2017 09:12pm

He very much deserves the treatment he received

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bring to justice

Oct 25, 2017 09:23pm

The people who infringed the civil rights of Asim Saeed should be brought to justice.

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accountable

Oct 25, 2017 09:24pm

The establishment needs to be accountable and the Apex court need to make it happen.

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VM

Oct 25, 2017 09:29pm

Feel sorry for common people of Pakistan.

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aLeX

Oct 25, 2017 09:36pm

@Rameez Mohammad
Bro are you new to all of this?

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Joe

Oct 25, 2017 09:37pm

Saeed, who currently lives and works in Singapore, has now applied for asylum in Britain, fearing his life would be in danger if he had to return to Pakistan.". Why fear something that you created..Are things so serious in Pakistan that so many Pakistani are seeking asylum allover world , including India.

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roy

Oct 25, 2017 09:49pm

I believe the human rights must be observed. But the bloggers must also care about the sovereignty of the nation paying heed to the dangers involved in blogging against any institution. Even if they find a flaw or any bad thing, they ought to keep in mind that institutions are much higher than few bad humans! So they ought not to malign the institutions or support the anti-state actors online.

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Shehz

Oct 25, 2017 09:51pm

Journalism is a noble work, but also dangerous. Being a hero in Singapore or UK is a lot different than being one in Pakistan. If one is going to write against an establishment from Singapore and then think that they can come to Pakistan and no one will touch them, they are fools. Keep writing, but be intelligent about it - do not wander out alone, always remain with company and in plain sight of public, and have a strategy ready if such event were to take place.

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Feroz

Oct 25, 2017 09:57pm

Everyone knows what happens to people who suddenly disappear, who will be surprised by this disclosure ?

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Wahab

Oct 25, 2017 09:59pm

Proud to be a Pakistani

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Feroz

Oct 25, 2017 10:06pm

The collapse of the judicial system or rather its alignment with forces involved in such criminal and unconstitutional activities is solely responsible for this unhappy state of affairs in Pakistan. The structure of the State is being eroded everyday with such practices and unless the citizen speaks out and protests, situation can only worsen.

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Indian

Oct 25, 2017 10:25pm

What’s funny is people over there won’t hesitate twice to lecture actual free societies about freedom of speech? My question is how do you even know what is freedom of speech, you’ve never had it, neither have you had a real democracy.

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Indian boy

Oct 25, 2017 10:29pm

@M. Emad Bangladesh is 100 Times more liberal and progressive than Pakistan.

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Gaurav

Oct 25, 2017 10:38pm

"Saeed, who currently lives and works in Singapore, has now applied for asylum in Britain, fearing his life would be in danger if he had to return to Pakistan. "

Before giving us a dose of humanity, see what's happening in your country.

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ajay

Oct 25, 2017 10:42pm

Still want Military rule?

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Ok it is again

Oct 25, 2017 10:42pm

It sums up all.. Over 5,000 Pakistanis and Indians make same claims when they seek asylum.
"Saeed, who currently lives and works in Singapore, has now applied for asylum in Britain, fearing his life would be in danger if he had to return to Pakistan."

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real Indian

Oct 25, 2017 10:58pm

Entire Pakistan needs to be rescued from the grip of its establishment which is sucking life out of the country.

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Ras

Oct 25, 2017 11:07pm

As per UNICEF report 70000 children kidnapped in pakistan since jan 2017

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Ash Man

Oct 25, 2017 11:27pm

If army or any other government institution did not claim responsibility of doing it maybe he is exaggerating to get political asylum in uk.

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Ash20

Oct 25, 2017 11:33pm

No doubt about what he is saying. Every disappeared person has been tortured and none open mouth after getting freedom as threatened that whole family will get missing. Nobody hear from lady journalist who was released after two years.

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Ali Bilgrami

Oct 25, 2017 11:38pm

Anyone writing against the armed forces is supporting our enemies narrative. Good luck to Mr. Saeed in his application for lunatic asylum. Don't come back to Pakistan.

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Khan

Oct 25, 2017 11:46pm

Were is law in a country where people get picked up by agencies without any warrant and we all are just fine with it.

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A Taxpayer

Oct 26, 2017 12:06am

It is the Taxpayers, who bought their Boots, Guns and BMWs.

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sajed syed

Oct 26, 2017 12:13am

Every second day, nay every day, lies and more lies of intelligence(!) agencies and the boys come out.
They are losing their credibility.

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salman

Oct 26, 2017 12:18am

Its the state within the state

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salman

Oct 26, 2017 12:20am

No one can touch the military is it not evident

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Sher Khan

Oct 26, 2017 12:36am

@HARRY We all know, one needs some kind of reason to apply asylum and we also know all that they try to become journalists, bloggers etc. if he was missing, how he reached London?

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raja

Oct 26, 2017 12:52am

what is new . That how things happen in a failed state where military, and religious fanatic controll the power and money. (Korea of asia)

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Vijay

Oct 26, 2017 01:19am

It shows there is no democracy in Pakistan.

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Khan

Oct 26, 2017 01:52am

Well he deserved it

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Rajender

Oct 26, 2017 01:56am

By reading some of the comments here gives one an insight into how a Pakistani thinks...democracy means to be able to hear all voices even if they are not talking in your favor

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Ahsan Gul

Oct 26, 2017 02:09am

It could be made up stories to get asylum. Lot of Pakistanies used to make these stories to stay in Germany.

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Aysha

Oct 26, 2017 02:44am

@Ahmad Taj in the name defending nation, nobody is allowed to rape its own citizens

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JA-Australia

Oct 26, 2017 03:07am

He can move to India. Good riddance.

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DrKhan

Oct 26, 2017 03:58am

It’s deeply disappointing situation, nation has to stand up against these elements who are torturing bloggers raising voice against high handedness of agencies.

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chacha

Oct 26, 2017 04:01am

OMG, poor guy was beaten with leather strap. Does he not know some people like that?

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Shakil

Oct 26, 2017 04:06am

activistst? what kind? they seem to have same agenda, none of them work for humanity or any other anthropology project. They have one and same objective, thats hardly a coincidence!

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Common Sense

Oct 26, 2017 04:37am

Just like China. Oh well that’s fine then as it will be all China soon.

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Mohammed

Oct 26, 2017 04:50am

WHAT DO YOU THINK THEY SHOULD AWARD YOU FOR WHAT YOU WERE DOING

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Raheel

Oct 26, 2017 04:53am

Speaking language of Pakistan's enemies means you will be treated as a criminal

A leather belt slapped across you is a fairly modest response to sedition

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Ahsan

Oct 26, 2017 04:54am

Where is Samar Abbas ?

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Adwani

Oct 26, 2017 05:08am

They go on a self imposed exile and return back with stories of torture and abduction so that they can get asylum in western countries. In future more and more bloggers will claim similar incidents and submit application for asylum

You would have faced the same fate be it in Pakistan, India. Russia or wherever. I challenge you to write something against the system in Singapore! Respect the state machinery and pull your reins when the tongue runs wild in the name of freedom of expression! I bet my comment will not be published after moderation. So much for the freedom of expression!!

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helloWorld

Oct 26, 2017 06:47am

Pakistan, a member of Human Right council of UN.

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Bipin

Oct 26, 2017 06:58am

Well, this is not a news.

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lastsamurai

Oct 26, 2017 07:00am

First Ms.Shahzadi and now this. How do you expect to repair the image with these kinds of news prevailing in international media.

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Al Wazir

Oct 26, 2017 07:05am

Weldone FIA.
Freedom of speech and press shouldn't be misused

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Anna

Oct 26, 2017 07:24am

Every country has military and they are proud of them.that doesn't mean they have to start ruling the country....

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khan

Oct 26, 2017 08:07am

"Pakistan's record of promoting and protecting human rights has been vindicating by this victory,"